Reagan Mientka couldn’t help but beam as she listened to a smorgasbord of her accomplishments from 2023.

The equestrian competitor had 10 top-10 finishes in a 14-day stretch in October 2023, including four victories with her mare, The Duchess.

While Mientka listened to the accomplishments being read from her old Instagram post, she caught a glimpse of her precious brown mare with its white-and-black patch between its eyes.

Mientka’s expression morphed from glee to sadness. The Duchess, who is out on lease in California, helped Mientka improve as a competitor and as a person.

“Hearing [those accomplishments] is emotional because that was one of my last shows with Duchess before she got leased,” Mientka said.

Mientka paused to tame her emotions and wipe tears from her face.

The Colorado Springs School sophomore, who competes on Cheyenne Mountain’s equestrian team, boasts several years of experience in competition and said she’s cherished every aspect of equestrian and what each of her horses — The Duchess, Lahvinia Z, Vinny and Calidy — have taught her.

But few relationships match that of Mientka’s and The Duchess.

“I really love her and she was so successful,” Mientka said. “It’s emotional because you build a strong bond with these horses. You love them because it’s a blast. I had so much fun doing this. It’s emotional in a good way. You have to keep moving forward.”

Mientka previously earned national rankings of 21st on her gelding Cality and 19th on The Duchess. Mientka said rankings are based on points and “the bigger the show, the more points you can get.”

“Depending on how you place at each show — if you have the fastest time, you get first place — you earn a different amount of points,” Mientka said. “That’s why people on the East Coast tend to rack up the most points and place higher nationally. It just depends on how high you place and where in the U.S. you go.”

While Mientka continued her description of rankings and her passion for her horses, her mother, Becky Mientka, listened with joy and wore a smile that seldom changed as her daughter spoke.

Becky said Colorado has a “rich history” of equestrian that “some of us aren’t willing to let go of” and watching and listening to Mientka successfully carry that tradition makes Becky grateful.

In 2023, Mientka won “Horse of The Year” on two horses in the High and Low Children’s Jumper divisions for the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s Zone Eight, which includes Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona.

“That’s like going to state, but for four states,” Becky said. “It’s probably never going to happen again. It’s a really big deal.”

Becky said she’s proud of her daughter’s success, but watching Mientka assist others to reach those heights also brings Becky more joy.

“More than anything, I appreciate seeing her act as a liaison for the sport and as an example to younger kids coming up,” Becky said. “I think Reagan is an old soul. She loves to take on responsibility and is the first person to show up and the last to leave. She has an incredible work ethic and deeply cares about her peers.”

Mientka’s passion carries into the high school season, which takes place in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA).

Cheyenne Mountain competes in Zone Eight and, last season as a freshman for the Red-Tailed Hawks, Mientka earned the title of co-captain.

Even as one of the youngest members of the 15-person team, Mientka displayed nurturing vibes to help her teammates.

“It’s not always about the ride in IEA, it’s about bringing kids together and learning about horses and grooming the horses,” Mientka said. “When you‘re on that team, all the kids are riding these horses and they’re learning what I learned young. You’re picking up [the horse’s] poop, you groom them, you talk them up, you make sure they have hay and water.

“For me, IEA is about making sure the horses are taken care of and teaching other kids about that. The rides come second to me. And that’s not for everyone.”

Mientka’s father, Danny, said he’s loved watching his child continuously improve her knowledge as a competitor and consistently work to help others.

“It’s pure joy to see your child prioritize taking care of another animal,” Danny said. “The commitment it takes to excel at your sport all while balancing academics and life is tough. It’s been rewarding and grateful to have Reagan be this overachiever and flying her horse.”

Becky said in Mientka’s inaugural high school season, the soon-to-be sophomore had a different experience from her typical success.

“She always had a smile on her face, but she drew some tough straws,” Becky said. She treated the horses well, but she had some rough rides. While she was champion and earning first place and second place and excelling privately, on the team side, she had some poor scores. But that kid kept a smile on her face even though she’s highly competitive.”

Despite a rugged first year with Cheyenne Mountain’s equestrian team, Mientka’s composure and positivity earned her the IEA Sportsmanship Award.

“I was impressed with her this year receiving that sportsmanship award,” Becky said. “It’s nice when other adults recognize your kids’ effort. She wasn’t winning first place every time she went in the ring and often wouldn’t ribbon. But it was good to get that.”

Mientka expects success during this IEA season, but she recognizes her bonds — with horses and teammates — remain the priority.

Earning the top spot at each competition will always be her goal, but Mientka said she’s fine helping others improve and watching her teammates blossom.

“It’s a testament to how I was raised,” Mientka said. Not just my family and parents but also my barn and trainer. All my friends at the barn all have a tight-knit group because we’re about how our horses are being treated and taken care of. If you want something done, you have to do it yourself. No one’s going to do it like you. Any chance you get to connect with your horse and bond, take advantage.”

Reagan Mientka couldn’t help but beam as she listened to a smorgasbord of her accomplishments from 2023.

The equestrian competitor had 10 top-10 finishes in a 14-day stretch in October 2023, including four victories with her mare, The Duchess.

While Mientka listened to the accomplishments being read from her old Instagram post, she caught a glimpse of her precious brown mare with its white-and-black patch between its eyes.

Mientka’s expression morphed from glee to sadness. The Duchess, who is out on lease in California, helped Mientka improve as a competitor and as a person.

“Hearing [those accomplishments] is emotional because that was one of my last shows with Duchess before she got leased,” Mientka said.

Mientka paused to tame her emotions and wipe tears from her face.

The Colorado Springs School sophomore, who competes on Cheyenne Mountain’s equestrian team, boasts several years of experience in competition and said she’s cherished every aspect of equestrian and what each of her horses — The Duchess, Lahvinia Z, Vinny and Calidy — have taught her.

But few relationships match that of Mientka’s and The Duchess.

“I really love her and she was so successful,” Mientka said. “It’s emotional because you build a strong bond with these horses. You love them because it’s a blast. I had so much fun doing this. It’s emotional in a good way. You have to keep moving forward.”

Mientka previously earned national rankings of 21st on her gelding Cality and 19th on The Duchess. Mientka said rankings are based on points and “the bigger the show, the more points you can get.”

“Depending on how you place at each show — if you have the fastest time, you get first place — you earn a different amount of points,” Mientka said. “That’s why people on the East Coast tend to rack up the most points and place higher nationally. It just depends on how high you place and where in the U.S. you go.”

While Mientka continued her description of rankings and her passion for her horses, her mother, Becky Mientka, listened with joy and wore a smile that seldom changed as her daughter spoke.

Becky said Colorado has a “rich history” of equestrian that “some of us aren’t willing to let go of” and watching and listening to Mientka successfully carry that tradition makes Becky grateful.

In 2023, Mientka won “Horse of The Year” on two horses in the High and Low Children’s Jumper divisions for the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s Zone Eight, which includes Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona.

“That’s like going to state, but for four states,” Becky said. “It’s probably never going to happen again. It’s a really big deal.”

Becky said she’s proud of her daughter’s success, but watching Mientka assist others to reach those heights also brings Becky more joy.

“More than anything, I appreciate seeing her act as a liaison for the sport and as an example to younger kids coming up,” Becky said. “I think Reagan is an old soul. She loves to take on responsibility and is the first person to show up and the last to leave. She has an incredible work ethic and deeply cares about her peers.”

Mientka’s passion carries into the high school season, which takes place in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA).

Cheyenne Mountain competes in Zone Eight and, last season as a freshman for the Red-Tailed Hawks, Mientka earned the title of co-captain.

Even as one of the youngest members of the 15-person team, Mientka displayed nurturing vibes to help her teammates.

“It’s not always about the ride in IEA, it’s about bringing kids together and learning about horses and grooming the horses,” Mientka said. “When you‘re on that team, all the kids are riding these horses and they’re learning what I learned young. You’re picking up [the horse’s] poop, you groom them, you talk them up, you make sure they have hay and water.

“For me, IEA is about making sure the horses are taken care of and teaching other kids about that. The rides come second to me. And that’s not for everyone.”

Mientka’s father, Danny, said he’s loved watching his child continuously improve her knowledge as a competitor and consistently work to help others.

“It’s pure joy to see your child prioritize taking care of another animal,” Danny said. “The commitment it takes to excel at your sport all while balancing academics and life is tough. It’s been rewarding and grateful to have Reagan be this overachiever and flying her horse.”

Becky said in Mientka’s inaugural high school season, the soon-to-be sophomore had a different experience from her typical success.

“She always had a smile on her face, but she drew some tough straws,” Becky said. She treated the horses well, but she had some rough rides. While she was champion and earning first place and second place and excelling privately, on the team side, she had some poor scores. But that kid kept a smile on her face even though she’s highly competitive.”

Despite a rugged first year with Cheyenne Mountain’s equestrian team, Mientka’s composure and positivity earned her the IEA Sportsmanship Award.

“I was impressed with her this year receiving that sportsmanship award,” Becky said. “It’s nice when other adults recognize your kids’ effort. She wasn’t winning first place every time she went in the ring and often wouldn’t ribbon. But it was good to get that.”

Mientka expects success during this IEA season, but she recognizes her bonds — with horses and teammates — remain the priority.

Earning the top spot at each competition will always be her goal, but Mientka said she’s fine helping others improve and watching her teammates blossom.

“It’s a testament to how I was raised,” Mientka said. Not just my family and parents but also my barn and trainer. All my friends at the barn all have a tight-knit group because we’re about how our horses are being treated and taken care of. If you want something done, you have to do it yourself. No one’s going to do it like you. Any chance you get to connect with your horse and bond, take advantage.”